Grass-court season to be strengthened as Queen’s and Halle become ATP World Tour 500 events from 2015

LONDON — The ATP has announced significant prize money increases that will see player compensation increase by an average of 10% annually over the next five years across ATP World Tour 500 tournaments. The total prize money across the ATP World Tour 500 category will increase from $17.6 million in 2013 to $30.8 million in 2018.

In addition, the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club, London, as well as the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, will be re-categorized as ATP World Tour 500 events from 2015, when the calendar will feature a three-week grass-court swing in between Roland Garros and The Championships, Wimbledon.

Laurent Delanney, CEO ATP Europe, said: “We are delighted to have reached this outcome which sees significant prize money increases for the players, as well as the addition of two very strong tournaments in Queen’s and Halle to the ATP World Tour 500 category from 2015. The decision not only strengthens the 500s category as a whole but also enhances the grass-court season leading into Wimbledon. It is a terrific outcome for our players, tournaments and the sport as a whole.”

Simon Long, LTA Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The Aegon Championships is a world class sporting event and a fixture of the British summer calendar. Our investment in upgrading the tournament will inspire more people to play and follow tennis, and further strengthen the grass court season in the run up to The Championships, Wimbledon, so I would like to thank our partners at the ATP and the All England Club for their support in achieving this important result.”

Ralf Weber, Tournament Director of the Gerry Weber Open, said: “This is a very proud moment for us, and a true reflection of the success of the Gerry Weber Open over the past two decades. The ATP has honoured our commitment as well as our innovations over the past 21 years, and we are delighted to be joining the ATP World Tour 500 category. We have played a decisive role in raising the importance and stature of lawn tennis on the international tennis calendar, and we look forward to many successful years ahead.”

Philip Brook, Chairman of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, said: “When we announced the creation of a three-week gap between Roland Garros and Wimbledon from 2015, our aim was to establish a longer and more significant grass court season as part of the international tennis calendar. Many people have since worked very hard to bring this about and I am delighted to welcome today’s announcement of the increases in prize money and the elevation in status of the Aegon Championships and Gerry Weber Open. Both events have been key pillars in promoting grass court tennis for many years and I wish to thank the ATP, LTA and Halle for their contribution and enthusiasm in helping to turn an exciting vision into an exciting reality.”

The player commitment for ATP World Tour 500 tournaments throughout the five-year period remains at 4 tournaments, including one after the US Open.

The ATP will announce the full 2015 ATP World Tour calendar in due course.

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